Verses From The Abstract: Q-Tip’s 15 Best Verses [LISTEN]
Share the post
Share this link via
Or copy link
Today, April 10, marks the 43rd birthday of legendary MC and producer Q-Tip. With a legacy that precedes him and the highly anticipated LP, The Last Zulu, on the way, we decided to pay homage to the Native Tongues member’s legacy by listing his top 15 verses.
Five total A Tribe Called Quest albums (three of which are classics), two proper full-length solo releases, and a host of feature verses before, after and in between gave us ample 16s to choose from. Of course, some of our selections go without saying, but others will be surprising.
After the jump, you’ll find Q-Tip’s 15 dopest sets of bars. Let us know if you agree or disagree in the comments.
—
Photo: YouTube
15. Q-Tip – “Move” (Verse 2)
Track eight on the Queens rapper’s underrated The Renaissance album donned jewels of multiple varieties.
14. Mobb Deep ft. Q-Tip – “Drink The Pain Away”
Kamal The Abstract’s appearance on The Infamous may have seemed ill-fitting to some, but the potent street commentary displayed in lines like “negotiate the deal with the other money stalkers” displayed his ability to be a chameleon.
13. A Tribe Called Quest – “Midnight” (Verse 2)
Verse one was certainly more cinematic, but Tip’s delivery the second go around gave his lyrics a heightened intensity.
12. Janet Jackson ft. Q-Tip – “Got Til It’s Gone”
Backed by buttery smooth J. Dilla production, the St. Albans, Queens rep laced Ms. Jackson’s track with some playeristic talk that’ll be referenced for ages.
11. Heavy D ft. Kool G Rap, Grand Puba, C.L. Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Pete Rock & Q-Tip – “Don’t Curse”
Not single obscenity was muttered on this classic posse cut, which Q-Tip anchored with a closeout 16 bars.
10. Q-Tip – “Renaissance Rap” (Verse 2)
I personally became a fan of The Renaissance after “Move” smoothly segued into this track.
9. A Tribe Called Quest – “Sucka N***a” (Verse 1)
Peep the knowledge that Tip kicks about the etymology of one of global culture’s most polarizing words on this cut.
8. A Tribe Called Quest – “Jazz (We’ve Got)” (Verse 1)
Q-Tip’s verses on this cut are defined by his wordplay. Hear proof above.
7. A Tribe Called Quest – “Vibes and Stuff” (Verse 2)
First and foremost, this may be the most aptly titled song on The Low End Theory. It’s also Tip, who’s the shining star on the tune.
6. A Tribe Called Quest – “Hot Sex On A Platter”
It’s almost a crime that this track only landed on the Boomerang OST, but c’est la vie.
5. A Tribe Called Quest – “Award Tour”
As far as classics go, few cuts in ATCQ’s catalog trump this one. Tip’s verse set the tone, and also formulated all future freestyle verses on the cut.
4. A Tribe Called Quest – “God Lives Through”
Busta Rhymes said that he tears up while listening to this record in ATCQ’s Beats, Rhymes, & Life documentary. In other words, this is beautiful music and a equally dope verse from the Abstract poet from Queens.
3. A Tribe Called Quest – “Check The Rhime”
Walk up to someone, anyone (knowledgeable), and say “Back in the days on the boulevard of Linden,” and we bet that they complete the phrase. That’s a powerful verse.
2. A Tribe Called Quest ft. Leaders of the New School – “Scenario”
The Abstract gave us eight bars of pure fire on this classic track — nothing more, nothing less.
1. A Tribe Called Quest – “Excursions”
Imagine heading to Sam Goodie or Tower Records (remember those?) after a long day’s work to purchase ATCQ’s The Low End Theory, only to go home, unwrap the audible blessing, and hear “Back in the day when I was a teenager/Before I had status and before I had a pager” in the opening moments. Now, imagine how many people recall that moment each time they hear Q-Tip’s verse.
